Boeheim’s Army takes home first TBT championship
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (BVM) — With a list of former and current Syracuse basketball players in attendance, along with their namesake in the Orange coach, Boeheim’s Army captured their first The Basketball Tournament championship with a 69-67 win over Team 23.
The roster, which included many new faces along with players who aren’t Orange alumni, added much more experience to the growing alumni roster. The newest additions, in DeAndre Kane, D.J. Kennedy, Tyrese Rice and Keifer Sykes played crucial roles in bringing Boeheim’s Army to a place they had never been before.
Kane, who won three TBT titles with Overseas Elite, and Kennedy, who won four championships with Overseas Elite, were important when it came to the team’s championship aspirations as the duo had a major hand in pacing the team. Kennedy proved to be a major addition, leading the team in rebounding throughout the tournament, while Rice led the team in scoring and assists.
After a tough road that led the Syracuse alumni team to a quarterfinals matchup against the reigning champion Golden Eagles, Boeheim’s Army would gain early momentum with crucial wins over Forces of Seoul, Heatfire and Always a Brave. The team’s run would continue after close finishes against Marquette’s alumni team, along with a 66-64 victory over Florida TNT in the semifinal matchup.
Tyrese Rice’s final shot that sent Boeheim’s Army into the semi finals. Game against Florida TNT tomorrow at 12 pic.twitter.com/kuIIg9PG11
— Anthony Alandt (@anthonyalandt) July 31, 2021
After being knocked out of the quarterfinals four times and the semifinals once, Boeheim’s Army got their first chance at the title game after impressing with a much deeper squad in this year’s tournament.
With a matchup against Team 23 for the $1 million prize, Boeheim’s Army would take all it could get from one of the team’s newest faces. As Sykes hit big shot after big shot, the former Wisconsin-Green Bay guard would save his most important shot till the end, knocking down the game–ending three as Boeheim’s Army hit their target score of 69.
KEIFER SYKES FOR $1 MILLION!!!!!!!!!!!!@BoeheimsArmy IS YOUR TBT 2021 CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/tgAwO8tMpa
— TBT (@thetournament) August 4, 2021
The tournament win was a long time coming for Syracuse guard Eric Devendorf, who will call an end to his TBT career after being one of the team’s longest–tenured players after years of roster shake-ups.
“Seven years, we got here and we did it,” Devendorf said in his postgame interview. “It feels good. I appreciate all the support … This is the best university in the world, Syracuse.”
The high–powered offense of Team 23 came close to capping off its stellar run as the team featured 14 players from 14 different schools. With Devendorf leaving the Syracuse alumni squad, the competition will be wide open in next season’s tournament.
